Jim Goulart

Adam McCalvy -- The 2016 trade that sent Tyler Thornburg to the Red Sox for Travis Shaw plus prospects has already been a boon for the Brewers. Josh Pennington is hoping 2018 is the year it gets even better. Pennington, 22, the lone pitcher among the four players sent to Milwaukee in the teams' Winter Meetings swap, is throwing bullpens in Minor League camp after being limited to 10 starts last season by early-season surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow and a late-season shoulder strain. The rehab was nothing new; the hard-throwing right-hander also missed significant time in 2014-15 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. "It's been a struggle because I want to be out there," Pennington said. "You don't come into the game thinking, 'I'm going to be rehabbing.' You want to show the organization you can move through levels. "We'll see where I am at the end of Spring Training, but the way I feel right now, there's no reason that I should be missing a terrible amount of time. I'm hoping to get out of here as soon as possible." Pennington logged a 2.97 ERA in 30 1/3 innings over nine starts for Class A Wisconsin last season, so he should be a candidate to see Class A Advanced Carolina this season.

Brewers prospect Erceg getting back on track Third baseman is pain-free after being slowed by back injury By Adam McCalvy, MLB.com

Baseball Census Brewers videos (most recent at bottom of page)

Full Scouting Reports Newly added -- 1B Ernesto Martinez OF Tristen Lutz 1B Pat McInerney Archive of prior reports from last fall and earlier

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Wed. 3/21: Reliever Taylor Williams is interviewed by producer Joe Zenzola *** AUDIO via Brewers.com Wed. 3/21: On the final episode of Brewers on Tap based out of Arizona, Lane Grindle is joined by Adam McCalvy and Eric Sogard. *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Wed. 3/21: "Seth Everett, National Baseball Insider, weighs in on whether the Brewers should have signed Alex Cobb." *** AUDIO via ESPN 540 Milwaukee's "Homer and Gabe" Wed. 3/21: Fox Sports Wisconsin's Sophia Minnaert (Brewers' talk begins at the 04:45 minute mark) *** AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show Wed. 3/21 (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Jerry Augustine with guest host Bob Brainerd (go to the 53:45 minute mark) *** AUDIO via WTMJ's "Sports Central" Wed. 3/21: "Radio Voice Jeff Levering hops on with Greg to talk about the Wade Miley injury and how it impacts the roster decisions." *** VIDEOS via the Brewers video highlight / brief interviews page

AUDIO via 670 The Score in Chicago Tue. 3/20: WTMJ's Matt Pauley talks Brewers as part of a 42:00 minute clip that has guests discussing the NL Central (go to the 30:25 minute mark for Matt)

Wednesday "Camp Intrasquads" --

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 3/20: Jett Bandy is interviewed by producer Joe Zenzola *** AUDIO via ESPN 540 Milwaukee's "Wilde and Tausch" Tue. 3/20: Fox Sports Wisconsin's Sophia Minnaert (Brewers' talk begins at the 02:15 minute mark) *** AUDIO via the Drew Olson Show Tue. 3/20 (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Caitlin Moyer, Brewers Director of New Media, Talks Sandlot Remake *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Tue. 3/20: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via ESPN 540 Milwaukee's "Bryan and Dan" Tue. 3/20: Fox Sports Wisconsin's Sophia Minnaert (Brewers' talk begins at the 08:25 minute mark) *** AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show Tue. 3/20 (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Tom Haudricourt with guest host Ted Davis (go to the 30:40 minute mark) *** AUDIO via WTMJ's "Sports Central" Tue. 3/20: Jeff Levering

Via the Brewers' 2018 Media Guide -- some injuries reported previously, many were not: RHP Nash Walters (turns 21 this May), missed the 2017 season with a right elbow strain, and had Tommy John surgery September 19th. The 2015 3rd round pick out of a Texas high school, had been committed to Texas A&M prior to signing. *** RHP Devin Williams is entering his 6th pro year, hard to believe, after being drafted in the 2nd round in 2013. He's coming up on the one-year mark of his Tommy John surgery (3/23/17). *** RHP Andrew Vernon's last 2017 Timber Rattlers' appearance was August 6th. The 24-year-old had Tommy John surgery shortly after. We had mentioned this on the forum previously; Vernon was selected in the 2016 28th round out of North Carolina Central. *** RHP Matt Smith, 24, 34th round 2016 (Georgetown) missed all of 2017, and underwent Tommy John surgery on June 6th. *** LHP Luis Cordero (turns 19 in April), started three games for the co-op DSL Brewers/Indians squad last June, in his second pro season. The Venezuelan native underwent Tommy John surgery August 3rd. *** RHP Josh Pennington was shut down with a right shoulder strain last August after a nice run of nine Timber Rattlers starts. Definitely a name we have not seen yet in 2018 but hope to see soon. *** Sidewinding 26-year-old RHP Tyler Spurlin missed all of 2017 with a right elbow strain. No report of subsequent surgery. Spurlin represented the Crew in the Arizona Fall League after a strong 2016 campaign. Spurlin was an undrafted free agent when he signed in 2013 out of Rice University. He is yet to be listed in a spring lineup posted by @BrewersPD (Brewers Player Development). *** LHP Christian Trent, 25 (24th round, 2015, Univeristy of Mississippi) missed all of 2017 due to a left forearm strain. Like Tyler Spurlin, no note of surgery required, and also has not appeared in early lineup postings yet. *** LHP Blake Fox, 24 (2016 10th round, Rice), missed all of 2017, and had rotator cuff surgery on his pitching shoulder on June 6th. Darn. *** RHP Bowden Francis, 22 this April, was the Brewers 7th round pick last summer out of Chipola Junior College in Florida. Francis only made four Maryvale appearances in 2017, the last being July 19th, before being shut down with a right elbow strain. Thankfully, Francis has appeared in an early lineup listing. *** 19-year-old SS Jomar Cortes (37th round of a Puerto Rico high school in 2016) missed all of 2017 after undergoing right shoulder surgery on May 25th. *** LHP Jake Drossner (24 this May) missed all but one game of the 2017 season due to shoulder surgery on his throwing arm. Back in January, we linked to an audio interview with Jake. *** RHP Preston Gainey is entering his 7th season with the Crew. He missed most of the 2017 season (DL'd on 4/23) with what is listed as facet joint irritation. Google tells us that is "pain at the joint between two vertebrae in your spine. The facet joints are the joints in your spine that make your back flexible and enable you to bend and twist." Gainey had missed time in 2016 recovering from a lower back stress fracture. Hoping for the best short-term and long-term prognosis for the 2012 11th rounder from the Naval Academy. *** LHP Nathan Kirby's journey back from Tommy John and an additional elbow procedure has been well-documented recently, including this Adam McCalvy piece on the 2015 competitive balance bonus pick. *** Speaking of former competitive balance picks, 22-year-old 6th year pro infielder Tucker Neuhaus was placed on the Wisconsin DL on July 22nd and missed the rest of 2017 with a left knee strain. Neuhaus has been posted in early spring game lineups. *** RHP Jon Olczak, 24 (21st round, 2015, N.C. State) made three August rehab appearances in Maryvale. He had been sidelined as of June 1st with a right lat strain. Olczak has been listed in early lineups. *** 20-year-old 2014 bonus baby Gilbert Lara broke his right ankle shortly after his demotion to Helena last July. The infielder is another who has been seen listed in early camp lineups. *** Catcher Carlos Leal, now 26, has missed each of the last two seasons due to 2016 right shoulder surgery and subsequent complications. Hopefully we see Carlos in 2018. *** Venezuelan RHP Yosmer Leal, 22, has missed the last three seasons, having pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2013 and 2014. Leal initially underwent Tommy John surgery 5/28/15, then had it a second time last June 6th. Leal may be looking at a 4th lost season, although we may see him late in 2018, given the timing. *** RHP Jorge Ortega missed the 2017 regular season after August 2016 Tommy John surgery. However, you may remember Ortega made six appearances in the Arizona Fall League. Ortega qualified for minor league free agency, but instead signed a two-year minor league extension contract last October, thus he remains Brewers property for both 2018 and 2019. *** 20-year-old LHP Blake Lillis (25th round, 2016) missed all of 2017 with "ulnar neuritis" - an inflammation of the ulnar nerve as it passes on the inside of the elbow down to the forearm and hand. Lillis is a welcome sight in early lineup postings. *** RHP Carlos Luna underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016 and missed both that season and the 2017 campaign. The promising Panamanian (check out his 2015 numbers) tweeted in February that he's "good to go". *** 6'6" LHP Cam Roegner, 24 (22nd round out of Bradley, 2016) saw his 2017 season end as of August 4th with a left elbow strain. Fortunately, crisis averted, he's been listed in early camp lineups. *** RHP Daniel Missaki has yet to officially make his Brewers regular season debut after being acquired along with fellow RHP's Freddy Peralta and Carlos Herrera in the Adam Lind deal with Seattle. On his way back from consecutive Tommy John surgeries, Missaki took the mound today (3/20/18) and did well . *** 19-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jose Sibrian missed all of 2017 after back surgery. Sibrian ($550,000 bonus) has been listed in early camp lineups. *** Another young catcher, Puerto Rico native Johan Mojica went on the DL last July after suffering a left hamate (hand) fracture. *** Infielder Julio Mendez remains on the mend in Venezuela following a life-threatening cardiac incident after an HBP in Maryvale late last August. That entire episode was covered as best we could respectfully do so in this thread, and we all hope for a full lifestyle recovery for Julio. Mendez was not listed in the latest media guide but we believe is still technically with the organization. *** Those are the injury updates for players who headed into the offseason having either missed 2017 altogether or having had their seasons end prematurely. Injuries for players who missed time in 2017 but finished the seasons "healthy" are not listed here but are detailed in the Brewers' media guide.

Tuesday 3/20:

For tracking purposes, Monday's lineups. Follow @BrewersPD for daily highlight comments.

@BrewersPD confirms we won't see details beyond the tweets.

AUDIO via the Jon Arias Show Mon. 3/19 (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Adam Rygg (@BrewerNation) (go to the 14:10 minute mark)

AUDIO via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast Sun. 3/18: "As the Brewers head into the final full week of spring training, the roster battles are really starting to heat up. On this week's program, Matt breaks down the battle for the final two starting rotation spots. The competition took a different turn this week with two of the pitchers having their worst outing of the spring. Matt's featured guest is "Disciples of Uecker" editor Gabe Stoltz as he gives his take on the rotation battle in addition to breaking down the roster competitions for bullpen spots, and second base and catcher. Plus, Keston Hiura was sent to minor league camp after a great performance in his first Major League spring training. Matt and Gabe speculate on when he might make his Major League debut." *** AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 3/19: "As we approach Opening Day 2018 for the Milwaukee Brewers, Andy Schaaf joins Steve, Ryan and J.P. with prop bets to follow throughout the season. Who will lead the team in home runs? Over/Under 14.5 sac bunts by position players. Will Matt Albers get one save this year? Fill out your own form to compete with the guys and the rest of the Milwaukee's Tailgate listeners." *** AUDIO via WSSP's Morning Show Mon. 3/19: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Mon. 3/19: Brandon Woodruff is interviewed by producer Joe Zenzola *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's "Big Show" Mon. 3/19: National Baseball Analyst Seth Everett *** AUDIO via the Drew Olson Show Mon. 3/19 (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Tom Haudricourt (go to the 67:10 minute mark) *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM Mon. 3/19: Latest episode of "Spring Training Live"

Frosty Microbrew: Minor League Camp Underway By Kyle Lobner / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Soundcloud Wed. 3/14: "Chris Mehring & Kyle Lobner are back with plenty of topics to discuss: The lastest Frosty Microbrew with comments from Tom Flanagan on the opening of minor league camp in Maryvale; Which minor leaguers have stood out in Major League camp; The rule changes for extra-inning games in all of Minor League Baseball; and Kyle's appearance on the Effectively Wild Podcast for the Brewers preview."

Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak on LHP Nathan Kirby

As of Fri. AM 3/16, you'll see ten Brewers-specific videos here.

Posted on 3/15 3B Dallas Carroll OF Nic Pierre Archive of prior reports from last fall and earlier

For the most specific details article, here's MiLB's story. For the best quotes from MiLB's president behind much of the reasoning, here's Baseball America. I'm actually OK with the extra inning aspect (wish it would start in the 11th), as long as it never touches MLB.

AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Thurs. 3/15: National Baseball Analyst Seth Everett *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Thurs. 3/15: Reliever Matt Albers is interviewed by producer Joe Zenzola *** AUDIO via WTMJ's Sports Central Thurs. 3/15: Lane Grindle *** AUDIO via Brewers.com Fri. 3/16: "Will the Brewers get back into the playoffs or regress this season? MLB.com's Darwin Zook and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy discuss if the team did enough this offseason to finally get them over the hump and how Ryan Braun feels about playing first base for the first time in his career. *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show Fri. 3/16: Chase Anderson is interviewed by producer Joe Zenzola *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's "Big Show" Fri. 3/16: Adam McCalvy *** VIDEOS via the Brewers video highlight / brief interviews page

AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show Tue. 3/13 (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Tom Haudricourt (go to the 32:30 minute mark) *** VIDEO via Fox 6 Now Wed. 3/14: Welcoming spirit, including Bob Uecker *** VIDEOS via the Brewers video highlight / brief interviews page

AUDIO via Brewers.com Wed. 3/14: In Episode 108, Lane Grindle catches up with Josh Hader, Keston Hiura and Adrian Houser Hiura is at the 09:10 mark....

Prospect Ray healthy, looking for results After tough 2017 season, outfielder feels improved entering '18 Adam McCalvy, MLB.com

Via Adam McCalvy -- The Brewers' Minor League complex is a bit less crowded than usual this spring. A group of about 14 players, mostly 2017 Draft picks who came out of high school, were en route to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to join some of Milwaukee's Latin American prospects for workouts at the team's academy there. The players include Caden Lemons, the Brewers' No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Je'Von Ward (No. 28). "Basically, they'll be able to do the same thing they would do here," Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said. "This way, you expose them to the culture, and they can get their work in." Why send them so far from home? In part because space is so tight, pending the Maryvale Baseball Park reconstruction scheduled to begin in two weeks. But also because those players are ticketed for short-season affiliates, which don't begin play until June. They will return on March 26 for the final week of Minor League camp. One high-school pick from last year's Draft, Milwaukee's No. 9 prospect Tristen Lutz, was not sent to the Dominican because he has a chance to open the regular season at Class A Wisconsin.